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Category Archives: Spriritual

I have to admit that it’s a bit embarrassing that my last post is dated February 13th, 2015! However, that was when a big change was just beginning to stir in the Harris home! To think of ALL that the last 17 months have held for us. I am definitely at a place where I can confidently say that I KNOW God used all that we have been through to prepare us for all that He has for us in this next season. We believe without a shadow of a doubt that we are supposed to be in San Antonio-God brought us here. We know our faith needs to be stronger than ever-we had MANY challenges that caused us to go deeper in the Lord and has built our faith. We have had hope through it all and have experienced beautiful grace as well. I love how God works, okay so maybe not during the process, but looking back, we can definitely say we’ve seen His hand. Knowing He was with us through it all. To be where we are now-spiritually, physically, emotionally. We’ve learned so many lessons. We know that we have God on our side and we have each other. I am not thankful for the circumstances, rather for a God that uses everything IF we let Him. If we choose to allow Him to walk us THROUGH the circumstances. HE alone redeems what seems hopeless or even way beyond our control. HE is faithful. He IS faithful. He is FAITHFUL!!!

In light of a certain movie coming out this weekend, and the state of our world in general I wanted to share a few things on my mind and heart. I read an article that really spoke to me and articulated so well all that was in my heart concerning this movie. You can read it here. It would be easy to dwell on the negative and the “Thous shalt not…”, however after writing a blog post and having my husband read it before I published it, he encouraged me to focus on the positive. I took it to heart.

First, I want to encourage you with two verses from God’s Word to ponder. “I will set no wicked thing before my eyes” (Psalm 101:3) and also “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23) I think both of these verses are clear, setting clear boundaries, not to inhibit us, rather to free us. As Christians we have been given a different set of standards to live by because we are no longer living according to the standards of the world. And now I want to share a couple of awesome things that are going so right.

I am so proud of both of my teenage daughters. My oldest daughter, Hannah, started an after school club in 6th grade called Pure Heart Girlz. She has a passion to reach the young women of her generation with the message of God’s love. Our middle daughter, Brooklin, took over leading the group at the Middle School as Hannah started High School. She also reaches out to those around her in sharing God’s love. Last year Hannah got the idea to make little goodie bags that included a verse about God’s love, along with some candy,and pass them out to young ladies at her school . This year her vision was to go even bigger. Reach even more girls. 153. That’s how many girls will receive a message about God’s love. She designed a bracelet and ordered them through this company. In addition many people donated money and candy and several young ladies dedicated their time to stuff the bags and get them ready for the second ever Love Never Quits Project. It’s a simple idea making a BIG difference. These these young ladies are in desperate need to be reminded that they are loved and valuable. Please pray for each young lady to truly know that she is loved! I am so thankful that my girls are obedient to the Lord and want to share Him with others.

I am so thankful for my marriage. There is so much at stake and there is so much worth fighting for. I am so blessed to have a husband that loves the Lord and loves his family. He is setting a wonderful example of how to be a Godly man to our son and what a Godly man is to our girls. He loves each of us well. But a successful marriage does not happen overnight. It takes lots of work and dedication. It takes commitment and good communication. It takes laughter (not AT each other but with each other). It takes staying on our knees in prayer as leaders, lovers, and parents. It takes guarding our hearts and minds.By protecting our marriages we are setting a good example for our children and for generations to come.

Something else that is going so right, I belong to a church that is not afraid to talk about relationships in an open and honest way that is straight from God’s Word. And yes, I am inserting an unapologetic plug for our upcoming Relationship Series at church starting this Sunday! The world is not afraid to talk about it, although it is just that, the world’s version. I think it is important to see it from God’s perspective. This will definitely be life changing!

Let’s remember We do not war against flesh and blood. People are not our enemy, the devil is. We are not afraid and we will not step back. I love the song “You Make me Brave” by Amanda Cook and Bethel Music. If ever there was a time to take a stand united in prayer and spirit it is now. Let us not forget, we are IN this world but not OF this world as believers.

I encourage you to take time to pray over your spouse, (if you are single-pray over your future spouse), pray over your children, your friends. Pray for the light of the Truth to be revealed. May we show Christ’s love to others but unleash a fury on the enemy. “Grow not weary in well doing for in due time we will reap if we don’t faint.” Galatians 6:9.

Hello again! It seems as though whatever was causing my blog problem has been resolved and I am glad to be back.

In praying about what what to encourage you with today I was thinking about all that is in the news as of late. Most of it is discouraging to down right scary. However, I have been reminded that ALL of those things provide a great opportunity to pray. We read in Philippians 4:6 -7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7)And the peace of God, with transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” I love this verse. It tells me to not be anxious about ANYTHING and all those things I am not being anxious about-but in every situation- I am praying about. NOT worrying about. And God says He will give me amazing peace. The other comforting passage of Scripture to stand on is Psalm 91. It is a great one to memorize and meditate on and even pray over yourself, your family and friends. We live in a fallen world, but we serve a very mighty God. I pray you find peace and encouragement in God’s Word today.

I must start with a Jack funny. (He is our nine year old resident comedian). Last night Adam and Jack were talking and apparently Jack rolled his eyes at something Adam said. When Adam asked him about that, his response was, “My eyes were still, my head was rolling.” He never ceases to amaze me.

Now, back to our regularly scheduled program. When I hear the word balance I picture a set of old fashioned gold scales perfectly even with each other in perfect balance. If your life is anything like mine the only time our “life scale” may look like that is when we are all asleep at night. (I give credit for that thought to a sweet lady that serves as a mentor and friend to a group of us younger ladies). She’s right. Then Ms. Nancy said, “Balance is found in setting priorities.” I sat in this group of ladies last week and we talked about this very topic-BALANCE. We could have closed our notebooks, picked up our purses and left with that one thought alone, however, we needed to stay and unpack that thought some more. So glad we did. I took four pages of top to bottom notes. I’d like to share a little of that with you now.

When life begins to spin out of control , focus on Jesus, follow His example. He would go away and pray. That is where balance begins. Prayerfully considering your priorities.

God gives ME grace to carry out what He’s called ME to do, not what He’s called YOU to do. The same is true for you.

“Guard your heart for out of it flow the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23

Here are a few tips to help bring balance into your life:

Schedule solitude. Yes. Put it on the calendar. It may be one or two hours once a week or one day a month. Follow through. Not only will you benefit from this, everyone around you will too.

Live in tune. Allow God to arrange your day and then allow Him to interrupt even that. Really yield to the Holy Spirit. Remember He is a God of order and he doesn’t go around confused and changing His mind. Listen for His gently leading.

Learn to say No. It is NOT a bad word. And think of all the things you can say YES to once you say no to a few. My friend Paula says, ” Sometimes you have to say NO to the good to get to the great.”

Partner with others. We were never intended to go on this journey of life alone.

We must be sure we are only doing what God has called us to do.

Balance looks completely different for a mom with young kids, to a working, single woman, to an empty-nester. Take some time this week as you are having your quiet time and work through the following three tips:

Consider what in your life is not working.
Then ask-How did it get that way?
Finally-How do I change/fix this?

God cares so deeply for you and He wants you to live in His will. I hope you are encouraged that balance does exist and I hope you take some steps this week to evaluate where you are at.

I hope everyone’s first week back to school was great. Our family had a great week. I cannot believe Hannah is a sophomore, Brooklin is in 8th grade , and Jack is in 3rd grade. They were all little just yesterday. I am so proud of each of them. God has gifted each one and has a purpose and plan for them.

Now for today’s Motivation. I am a very visually sensitive person. (I just made that term up). What I mean is that I am very observant of my surroundings all of the time. I am always noticing a great location for a photo shoot, or beauty in nature, etc. Beautiful things are inspiring and everyone is inspired by different beautiful things. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. With that being said, I am sharing several links to other blogs that inspire me. Some inspire me spiritually, others creatively, and I hope you find inspiration as well.

I have a friend from the church we were previously at (before we moved to Rockport)that started a Mommy’s group and also a blog. She is an amazing woman of God, wife and mom. Here is a link to her blog.

The day will dawn early. I will awaken to my alarm clock at an hour not many appreciate. I will lay still and take in the silence, the stillness. The sound of the coffee pot drip, drip, dripping, the aroma waking me further. I will sit up and stretch. Today. The first day of school for the 2014-2015 school year has arrived. I am ready. HE has made me ready. I have prayed all summer for my kid’s teachers, new classmates, old friends, my co-workers, and administrators. Today is a new day. The beginning of a new school year is old and familiar, yet new and exciting. And prayer holds it ALL together.

My heart is stirred when I think of the power of prayer. When I think of all the prayers I have prayed and ALL the answered prayers I have witnessed. Prayer takes time and commitment. Many prayers are prayed and seem as though they did not lift past the ceiling. Yet, I believe every prayer is ushered into Heaven where the Father of all time hears and knows and understands every aspect from beginning to end of the prayer before Him. And HE answers according to His will and according to our faith. I am thankful that our faith can be as small as the tiny seed of a mustard tree. He knows us well. He answers us well. My prayer for you is that you take some time to pray over your children daily. Take some time to also pray for those children that will be around your children. God is faithful. He hears.

Here are two verses to encourage your children with as they go out to be Light in a dark world and salt in a distasteful world…

I Timothy 4:12 “Dpn’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set forth an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”

AND…

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me. ”

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